Hurricane Risk for Morehead City, NC
No tropical storms currently threaten the Morehead City area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
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Since 1851, 279 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Morehead City. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Dexter (2025)
Passed within 124 miles of Morehead City on August 02, 2025. Peak intensity: Cat 1 (80 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Dorian (2019)
Reached Cat 5 (184 mph) at its peak. Passed within 44 miles of Morehead City.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1894)
Passed just 3.5 miles from Morehead City on September 28, 1894.
When hurricanes hit Morehead City
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1851:
Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.
Prep your supplies before the storm is named
Our alerts can notify you of a storm long before it makes the news, giving you more time to get what you need — instead of joining the panic-buying public.
Sign Up FreeRecent notable storms (last 20 years)
Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Morehead City residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dexter | 2025 | Cat 1 | 124 mi | Aug 02, 2025 |
| Debby | 2024 | Cat 1 | 197 mi | Aug 09, 2024 |
| Idalia | 2023 | Cat 4 | 72 mi | Aug 31, 2023 |
| Ian | 2022 | Cat 5 | 147 mi | Oct 01, 2022 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 138 mi | Jul 08, 2021 |
| Isaias | 2020 | Cat 1 | 79 mi | Aug 04, 2020 |
| Eta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 97 mi | Nov 13, 2020 |
| Dorian | 2019 | Cat 5 | 44 mi | Sep 06, 2019 |
| Florence | 2018 | Cat 4 | 44 mi | Sep 14, 2018 |
| Michael | 2018 | Cat 5 | 134 mi | Oct 12, 2018 |
| Chris | 2018 | Cat 2 | 136 mi | Jul 08, 2018 |
| Hermine | 2016 | Cat 1 | 28 mi | Sep 03, 2016 |
| Matthew | 2016 | Cat 5 | 43 mi | Oct 09, 2016 |
| Arthur | 2014 | Cat 2 | 9 mi | Jul 04, 2014 |
| Irene | 2011 | Cat 3 | 9 mi | Aug 27, 2011 |
| Earl | 2010 | Cat 4 | 146 mi | Sep 03, 2010 |
| Hanna | 2008 | Cat 1 | 102 mi | Sep 06, 2008 |
| Andrea | 2007 | Cat 1 | 164 mi | May 06, 2007 |
| Ernesto | 2006 | Cat 1 | 73 mi | Sep 01, 2006 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Morehead City is in Carteret County — look up your evacuation zone here.
- Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
- Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
- Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
- Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.